Introduction

Homoeopathy (Homoios = similar; pathos = suffering/disease) is a branch of medical science based on the principle "Similia Similibus Curenter" means "like cures like," i.e., substances that cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can also cure those same symptoms in someone who is ill. It was founded by a German physician Dr C. F. Samuel Hahnemann in 18th century who is considered as Father of Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy is best recommended for chronic diseases such as allergies, asthma, skin diseases like urticaria, psoriasis, eczema, chronic gastritis, sinusitis, migraine, herpes etc.

Homoeopathic medicine is built upon several basic principles. The first law says that individual can fight the symptoms by re-creating those very symptoms that the disease is manifesting, i.e. "likes are cured by likes". The second law shows that the substance that provokes the imitation of the symptoms needs to be extra diluted to work well; high doses would provoke ugly aggravations of the symptoms which could prove fatal. The third law of homeopathy says that the quantity of the medicine should be very small as this is actually used only to boost the immune system of the body to fight against the disease.

Homeopathy pays emphasis on strengthening the immune system and curing like with like. Homeopathy today has gained wide acceptability, both in India and abroad, because of its holistic and intrinsic values, the low cost of medication coupled with ease of administration and absence of more side effects.

Nature of Work

Homoeopaths approach their patients in a holistic way, means the whole of the body and spirit is dealt with, not just the particular disease. It is a safe, effective and gentle approach to health and provides an alternative to drugs and surgery.

Homeopathy differs from Allopathy in diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Homeopaths generally begin with detailed examinations of their patients' history, including questions regarding their physical, mental and emotional states, their life circumstances, food habits and any physical/emotional illness. The homeopath then attempts to translate this information into a complex formula of mental and physical symptoms including likes, dislikes, innate predispositions and body types. The goal is to develop a comprehensive representation of each individual's overall health. This information is compared with similar lists in the drug provings found in the homeopathic materia medica. After understanding the patient's temperament, personality, life style & all the symptoms, the homeopath tries to find the one drug most closely matching the "symptom totality" of the patient. The medication is in minute quantities, mild as compared to the allopathic medicine. Investigation and treatment does not involve any invasive procedures. The treatment gives great importance to increase the body's immune system while removing the genesis of the illness. Homoeopaths believe minute doses of natural mineral and plant substances can cure the patient by stimulating the natural defence mechanism. The remedy chosen mimics the action of the disease to stimulate the body's immune system. This is a highly personalised form of treatment, so patients who apparently suffer from the same illness may be prescribed different medicines.

Personality

A homoeopathic doctor needs to:

have a strong belief in, and commitment to homoeopathy.

an interest in alternative and complementary approaches to health.

knowledgeable about disease processes and homoeopathic remedies.

responsive to patient's personal issues and problems.

be good listener, cool & calm, skilled at explaining complex issues in a simple manner.

be able to inspire trust, and form a rapport with all kinds of people.

analytical, confident, enthusiastic and energetic to promote and build a practice.

Prerequisites

Eligibility: Students desirous of BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery) should have Higher Secondary or equivalent qualification (10 + 2) with English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology as well as attained the age of 17 years on or before 31st December of the year of his admission to the first year of the course.

Professional Courses

Basically there are two types of courses available in Homeopathy namely Diploma in Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery (DHMS) of 4 years duration, including 1-year of Internship and Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS) of 4 � Years + 1 year Internship. The Central Council of Homoeopathy, a statutory body under Government of India, is the apex body taking care of education, training and other matters related with Homoeopathy. All the courses must be recognised by Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973. At present there are around 200 institutions in the country offering degree and diploma courses in Homoeopathy, which meet the regulations prescribed by the Council. Annual intake by these institutions is around 8000. The training period for Homoeopathic Studies varies with the course undertaken.

National Institute of Homoeopathy, Calcutta, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is a model academic institute of Homoeopathy in India. The Entrance Examination for BHMS course is usually held in June/July every year. Post Graduate Education in Homoeopathy was introduced in 1989 and M.D. (Hom.) is offered in seven different subjects namely Materia Medica, Organon of Medicine with Homoeopathic Philosophy, Repertory, Pediatrics, Medicine, Psychiatry and Pharmacy. About 15 institutions have been permitted by the Central Council, India to start Post Graduate Course in Homoeopathy. Vinayaka Missions University, Salem offers three-year MD (Doctor of Medicine in Homoeopathy) with specialization in Practice of Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Homoeopathic Materia Medica, Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, Repertory and Homoeopathic Pharmacy. Government Homoeopathic Medical College at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode offer M.D. (Hom) in Materia Medica, Homoeopathic Philosophy, Repertory, Practice of Medicine and Pharmacy. The eligibility criterion for M.D. is BHMS degree or its equivalent as declared by the Central Council of Homoeopathy.

Selection of Institute and courses

The selection of the institute is important otherwise it would be wastage of precious time and money. Before selecting any institute, one should consider the following points e.g. reputation of the institute, recognition of institute, how old the institute is, efficiency of faculty members of the institute, infrastructure of the institute etc. All the courses & institutes must be recognized by Central Council of Homoeopathy (http://www.cchindia.com), India for secure future. One should go for higher studies like M.D. (Hom) for better employment opportunity especially in teaching field.

Colleges, Institutions and Universities

Here is the list of Institutions providing Homoeopathy courses in India:

Career Prospects

Alternative medicine is becoming popular in society slowly. Homeopathic doctors too are in high demand especially for diseases that allopathic medicine can't cure in satisfactory ways. It is a very flexible career option as it can be started later in life and one can continue until older age. Homeopaths can work part time only or build up a busy practice and develop into a full time occupation with earnings increasing with the growth of the practice. Success depends on confidence, competence and ability to attract patients. Advancement is mainly through building up a practice. With experience, homoeopaths may move onto running seminars,tutorials, teaching at colleges/universities or supervising students and other practitioners and writing articles, books and health journals. They may get involved in homoeopathic research, or advise manufacturers on the production of homoeopathic medicines.

Remunerations

Although the pay scale in the private sector is not organized yet a homoeopathic doctor can start his career with approximately Rs. 10,000 per month. With decent personal set-up and experience one can earn between Rs. 20,000 to 50,000 per month. However there is no limitation once the doctor becomes famous in the society.

Employment Opportunities

After completion of study & training in Homoeopathy a candidate can find job in Homoeopathic Hospitals and medical colleges, Govt. Dispensaries, Non-Government Organization (NGO). Besides private practice Homoeopathy offers career opportunities in research institutes (disease and drug related clinical research) in both government and private sectors. Homoeopathy graduates may work as a medical officer, administrator & manager, teacher, researcher as well as social reformer. So, the scope of Homoeopathy is ample & growing fast with the aspirations of coming era especially in the field of non-curable diseases and disorders.